7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have come. Let Israel recognize it!The prophet is a fool, and the inspired man is insane, because of the magnitudeof your guilt and hostility.
8 Ephraim’s watchman is with my God.The prophet encounters a fowler’s snareon all his ways. Hostility is in the house of his God!
9 They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their guilt;He will punish their sins.
10 I discovered Israellike grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fatherslike the first fruit of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, consecrated themselves to Shame, and became detestable, like the thing they loved.
11 Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird: no birth, no gestation, no conception.
12 Even if they raise children,I will bereave them of each one.Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!
13 I have seen Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a meadow,so Ephraim will bring out his childrento the executioner.